Tonight, BET celebrated 30+ years of Soul Train with a soul-full star-studded awards show.
Some of the greatest voices on earth came together under one roof to pay homage to soul and R&B legends, such as the legend herself Ms. Toni Braxton. We got to sit back and watch Toni be paid homage to by musical talents Luke James, Jessie J, and Ro James singing some of her chart-topping hits. Even better, we got to watch Toni & Tamar serve us absolute #sistergoals.
As Tamar performed “Blind," we watched as Toni and the rest of the Braxton family cheered her on. Toni, who always refers to Tamar as her baby, was literally jumping for joy as she watched her baby sister belt out high notes just like big sis. During her tribute performance, Toni, the legend herself, as Tamar often reminds her, ran into the crowd to let her baby sister join in on her moment, singing some of the hook to her number hit “He Wasn't Man Enough." Toni and Tamar are absolutely #sistergoals when it comes to being down for one another through thick and thin and slaying all the while.
We've watched Tamar and Toni's relationship play out for five seasons on Braxton Family Values for years now. They exemplify how imperfect sister relationships can be but also how unbreakable and irreplaceable that kind of bond can be.
Here's what we can learn from Toni & Tamar's magical #sistermoments at the 2017 Soul Train Awards.
Older Sister-Younger Sister Bonds Are Unbreakable
Much like mother-daughter bonds, the bond between a younger and older sister are strong as heck. You may not always agree with one another but you've got her back no matter what.
There's Room For More Than One Star In The Family
Sharing the spotlight isn't always an easy thing to do but when it's your sister, you can be nothing but proud as hell from your big or little sis. Sisters that slay together, stay together.
Your Sisters Are Your Best Friends & Your Number One Fans
No matter how many temporary friends (or foes) may walk in and out of your life, your sister is always there no matter what. She'll ride out with you to the very end and be in the crowd cheering along the way.
As if we didn't love them for the amazing women they are individually, they give us even more life when they are together.
Watch the performances below:
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Outside of supporting her Pulitzer Prize-winning man, Whitney is also a licensed esthetician and makeup artist. The couple share two beautiful children together and seem to enjoy their privacy. From high school sweethearts to starting a family, here is a timeline of Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s relationship.
2001-2005?: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Meet
Whitney Alford and Kendrick Lamar at 2016 Key to the City Ceremony
Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
Kendrick and Whitney met in high school. However, there’s not a lot of details about what year. The two attended Centennial High School, which is located in Compton, CA, and began dating shortly after becoming friends.
2009: Kendrick Lamar Raps About Whitney
In his 2009 self-titled EP, Kendrick rapped about Whitney in the songs “She Needs Me” and “Determined.” He highlighted how he can’t live without her in “She Needs Me” and shared how she’s been his rock in “Determined.”
2014: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s First Public Appearance as a Couple
56th Grammy Awards with Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford
Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS
Whitney stepped out with Kendrick for the first time at the 56th Grammy Awards. Kendrick was nominated for seven awards, including Best Rap Album for Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.
2015: Kendrick Calls Whitney His Best Friend
Talking to Billboard in January, the Compton rapper opened up about his love for Whitney. “I wouldn’t even call her my girl,” he said. “That’s my best friend. I don’t even like the term that society has put in the world as far as being a companion — she’s somebody I can tell my fears to.”
Whitney Appears on Kendrick’s "To Pimp a Butterfly" Album
In March 2015, Kendrick dropped his highly anticipated third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, andWhitney provided backup vocals for songs “King Kunta” and “Wesley’s Theory.”
Kendrick Confirms Engagement to Whitney Alford
Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford at 2015 BET Awards
Photo by Johnny Nunez/BET/Getty Images for BET
During a The Breakfast Club interview, the Grammy award-winning artist confirmed that he and his high school sweetheart were engaged. “Yeah, definitely,” he said. “I’m loyal to the soul.”
2019: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcome Their First Child
It was reported that the couple had their first child in July 2019. While her name wasn’t revealed at the time, fans later suggested that he mentioned her name in his song “Mr. Morale,” which is off of his fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. He rapped, “Uzi, your father's in deep meditation.”
2022: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcomes Their Second Child
The couple quietly welcomed a second child, a baby boy named Enoch and they made the big reveal on the cover of the Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers album. The cover features Kendrick holding Uzi while Whitney holds Enoch. Kendrick also mentioned Enoch’s name in his song “Mr. Morale” when he rapped, “Enoch, your father's just detoxed.”
Whitney Reflects on Working With Kendrick on "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers"
In May, the makeup artist reflected on working with Kendrick on the album, which she helped narrate, and thanked him in an Instagram post. “Sometimes the mirror is a harsh critic. Shit can get real ugly. Im proud of the work we’ve done individually and as a family. Honored to be a part of this album @kendricklamar. Thank you for your transparency. Healing can begin…,” she wrote.
Whitney Appears in Kendrick's "Count Me Out" Music Video
Whitney also appeared in her beau’s “Count Me Out” music video and shared a snippet on her Instagram page in December.
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Feature image by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for NARAS
